Wave creating apparatus for boats

ABSTRACT

A linear extension attachable to the aft end of an existing pontoon boat, including a v-hull shaped portion behind an outboard, inboard, or inboard-outboard motor, with the keel of the v-hull shaped portion centered on a propeller of the motor, a pair of water directing tubes on each side of the v-hull shaped portion, a pair of outside walls on either side of the water directing tubes, and a set of board deflectors that extend vertically downward in order to create a phenomenon similar to “hydraulic jump,” thereby creating the surfing wave.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/448,941 filed Jan. 20, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for water recreation, and in particular, boats adapted for facilitating wake surfing.

BACKGROUND

Wake surfing has become a popular form of recreation. A challenge with tow boats as known in the prior art is to create a wave suitable for wake surfing, while maintaining a safety buffer between the surfer and the propeller of a towing boat.

It is desirable to create as large a wave as possible, with the wave being generally parallel to the stern of the towing boat, so as to provide a wave for surfing. At the same time, it is important to ensure the surfer's safety in the event of falls, and in particular, that the surfer does not come in contact with the propeller of the boat.

Prior art methods and apparatuses have often sacrificed one or the other of these objectives. What is needed in the art is a solution that better accommodates both of these needs.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, apparatuses and methods are disclosed to address the needs of the art. In particular, the present invention includes apparatuses and methods whereby a wave can be created aft of a pontoon or other boat suitable for wake surfing, while also ensuring safety for the wake surfer.

The apparatus includes a linear extension attachable to the aft end of an existing pontoon boat, including a v-hull shaped portion behind an outboard, inboard, or inboard-outboard motor, with the keel of the v-hull shaped portion centered on a propeller of the motor, a pair of water directing tubes on each side of the v-hull shaped portion, a pair of outside walls on either side of the water directing tubes, and a set of board deflectors that extend vertically downward in order to create a phenomenon similar to “hydraulic jump,” thereby creating the surfing wave. The apparatus itself insulates the surfer from the boat propeller, thereby ensuring safety. The v-hull shaped portion directs water into and around the tubes and directs it toward the board deflectors. The apparatus can also include a hinged portion on the center float of a pontoon boat that can be shifted downward to raise the bow of the boat and cause the stern to dig deeper into the water, thereby creating a larger wave. In addition, a similar effect might be created by shifting the propeller tilt relative to the boat to raise the bow and depress the stern of the boat.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for enabling wake surfing behind a motorized water craft includes a body adapted to couple to the aft end of the water craft, a pair of spaced apart open tubes operably coupled to the body, and a water deflecting structure between the tubes shaped so as to direct water into the tubes as the water craft is propelled in a forward direction. A pair of spaced apart wall structures are positioned outboard of one of the tubes so as to direct water into the tubes, and at least one downwardly extending deflecting structure is disposed behind the tubes. The water deflecting structure can have a v-hull shape. The deflecting structure can be generally planar, extending parallel to an aft end of the water craft. In embodiments, the water craft can be a pontoon boat, which may have a pair of spaced apart floats. The apparatus can include a pair of float extensions, each of the float extensions extending longitudinally behind a separate one of the floats. Each of the spaced apart wall structures can be attached to a separate one of the float extensions.

In another embodiment, a pontoon boat can include a pair of spaced apart floats, a planar deck extending over the floats, an engine, and an apparatus for enabling wake surfing attached at an aft end of the pontoon boat. The apparatus can include a body, a pair of spaced apart open tubes operably coupled to the body, a water deflecting structure between the tubes shaped so as to direct water into the tubes as the pontoon boat is propelled in a forward direction by the engine, a pair of spaced apart wall structures, each wall structure positioned outboard of one of the tubes so as to direct water into the tubes, and at least one downwardly extending deflecting structure disposed behind the tubes.

In embodiments, the water deflecting structure may have a v-hull shape. The deflecting structure may be generally planar and extend parallel to an aft end of the water craft. The apparatus can include a pair of float extensions, each of the float extensions extending longitudinally behind a separate one of the floats. Each of the spaced apart wall structures may be attached to a separate one of the float extensions.

In embodiments, the pontoon boat may further include a third float positioned between the pair of spaced apart floats, which may be pivotally attached to the boat so as to enable a front end of the third float to be selectively angled downwardly, thereby raising a front end of the boat and depressing the aft end of the boat relative to the water. An angle of the engine may be selectively adjustable relative to a stern plane of the boat. The apparatus may further include a utility portion extending between the float extensions, which may include a fuel tank.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an apparatus attached at the stern of a pontoon boat;

FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view taken at section 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view taken at section 3-3 of FIG. 1.

While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1-3 there is depicted a wake surfing apparatus 10, attached to the aft end 12 of a pontoon boat 14. Wake surfing apparatus 10 generally includes body 16 and board deflectors 18. Body 16 generally includes float extensions 20, connecting utility portion 22, v-hull portion 24, and water directing tubes 26. Float extensions 20 can be cylindrical, and sized according to the outer floats 28 of pontoon boat 14. Deck 29 covers the floats 28 and provides Float extensions 20 define inwardly facing walls 29. Utility portion 22 can be a connecting structure, rigidly spacing apart the float extensions 20, and enclosing space for auxiliary functions such as fuel tank 30. V-hull portion 24 can be shaped according to any commonly known shape for a v-hulled boat, presenting outwardly facing surfaces 32. Water directing tubes 26 are generally cylindrical, hollow, and elongate along longitudinal axes 34. Board deflectors 18 are generally planar, and extend parallel to the stern plane 36 of pontoon boat 14. Although depicted in FIG. 3 as extending downward perpendicularly, board deflectors 18 can be oriented at other angles relative to stern plane 36, and the angle can be manually adjustable in embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that this apparatus could be adapted to attach to other types of motorized boats such as v-hull and tri-hull boats so as to create the desirable wake effect.

In use, motor 38 propels pontoon boat 14 forwardly in the direction of the arrow as depicted in FIG. 1. As pontoon boat 14 moves forward, water is channeled between inwardly facing walls 29 and outwardly facing surfaces 32, with a large proportion of the water entering water directing tubes 26. This water is directed against an inside surface 40 of board deflectors 18. Some of the water moves around the outside of board deflectors 18, while a large proportion of the water moves underneath board deflectors 18, thereby creating downwardly directed pressure. As the water passes underneath board deflectors 18, this downward pressure causes a phenomenon behind board deflectors similar to “hydraulic jump,” whereby a large wave is created behind board deflectors 18 suitable for wake surfing. The wake surfing apparatus 10 itself creates protection from the propeller of motor 38 for a surfer being towed behind board deflectors 18.

In an embodiment, center float 48 of pontoon boat 14 can be hinged so that a front portion can be shifted downward to lift the bow (front end) of pontoon boat 14 out of the water and drive the stern (aft end) downward, thereby increasing the wave creating effect of the apparatus. Alternatively, motor 38 can be tilted with a commonly known trim-tilt device so that the propeller is shifted rearward. Moreover, the motor can be mounted at the front of pontoon boat 14.

In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus forms an extension of the stern of pontoon boat 14 of approximately 3.5 feet. This design includes water tubes to increase the flow of water hitting the board deflectors and the intakes will also draw down the rear of the pontoon to help develop a larger wake. This design could be added to an existing pontoon or integrated as part of a new pontoon boat. As mentioned, a pivotally attached center float can be provided on the front half of the pontoon, wherein the front of the center float can be adjustably depressed to raise the front (bow) of the pontoon which will increase the rear down pressure at the rear (stern) of the pontoon.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for enabling wake surfing behind a motorized water craft, the apparatus comprising: a body adapted to couple to the aft end of the water craft; a pair of spaced apart open tubes operably coupled to the body; a water deflecting structure between the tubes shaped so as to direct water into the tubes as the water craft is propelled in a forward direction; a pair of spaced apart wall structures, each wall structure positioned outboard of one of the tubes so as to direct water into the tubes; and at least one downwardly extending deflecting structure disposed behind the tubes.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water deflecting structure has a v-hull shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deflecting structure is generally planar and extends parallel to an aft end of the water craft.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water craft is a pontoon boat.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pontoon boat has a pair of spaced apart floats, and the apparatus includes a pair of float extensions, each of the float extensions extending longitudinally behind a separate one of the floats.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the spaced apart wall structures is attached to a separate one of the float extensions.
 7. A pontoon boat, comprising: a pair of spaced apart floats; a planar deck extending over the floats; an engine; and an apparatus for enabling wake surfing attached at an aft end of the pontoon boat, the apparatus comprising; a body; a pair of spaced apart open tubes operably coupled to the body; a water deflecting structure between the tubes shaped so as to direct water into the tubes as the pontoon boat is propelled in a forward direction by the engine; a pair of spaced apart wall structures, each wall structure positioned outboard of one of the tubes so as to direct water into the tubes; and at least one downwardly extending deflecting structure disposed behind the tubes.
 8. The boat of claim 7, wherein the water deflecting structure has a v-hull shape.
 9. The boat of claim 7, wherein the deflecting structure is generally planar and extends parallel to an aft end of the water craft.
 10. The boat of claim 7, wherein the apparatus includes a pair of float extensions, each of the float extensions extending longitudinally behind a separate one of the floats.
 11. The boat of claim 10, wherein each of the spaced apart wall structures is attached to a separate one of the float extensions.
 12. The boat of claim 7, wherein the pontoon boat further includes a third float positioned between the pair of spaced apart floats.
 13. The boat of claim 12, wherein the third float is pivotally attached to the boat so as to enable a front end of the third float to be selectively angled downwardly, thereby raising a front end of the boat and depressing the aft end of the boat relative to the water.
 14. The boat of claim 7, wherein an angle of the engine is selectively adjustable relative to a stern plane of the boat.
 15. The boat of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further includes a utility portion extending between the float extensions.
 16. The boat of claim 15, wherein the utility portion includes a fuel tank. 